Doha [Qatar], October 15: What's on the agenda of the FIFA Council meeting?
Football officials will have to work their way through five rather dry agenda items consisting of formalities and committee reports.
Then things could get heated. Item number six will address Infantino's failed plan known as FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE).
Since disclosing his plans after this year's World Cup, Infantino has been under fire. He has recently offered to discuss changes to the FIFA's leadership. He made it clear, however, that he wants to continue leading the federation while critics, led by UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin, have called for him to step down and not seek another term. Also on the agenda is the debate over the FIFA Peace Prize, which Infantino awarded to United States President Donald Trump last December.
What are Infantino's opponents planning?
The UEFA delegation is set to present its criticisms before fellow officials from around the world - most of whom remain on Infantino's side. The initial goal is to portray Infantino as a self-serving ruler as effectively as possible, but also to initiate change within FIFA's structure.
The key issue is the demand for a reform under which the next president would have largely only representative functions, with day-to-day business being managed by the full-time administration and the Council.
This is an unacceptable demand for Infantino, even though he has advocated this idea before his first election some 10 years ago.
Possible names for such a nonpartisan leader have long been circulating.
Arsene Wenger, who is already serving as a football adviser at FIFA, might be an option as well as Portuguese Luís Figo.
However, it would be better to find a dignitary from another continent.
"We need someone with integrity who can strengthen governance. That could be anyone, from any part of the world," UEFA vice president Laura McAllister said.
What is the role of German officials?
German Football Federation (DFB) president Bernd Neuendorf has taken the lead, positioning himself as a sort of spokesman for the UEFA camp with his clear criticism of Infantino. DFB vice president and Bundesliga CEO Hans-Joachim Watzke also clearly spoke out against Infantino. "I've said it often enough over the past few weeks. So many mistakes were made - from the Peace Prize (awarded to United States President Donald Trump) and the Folarin Balogun issue to the investor saga," Watzke said recently.
This clear stance reflects German public opinion regarding the FIFA president. But it is not without risk. Presently, a change in leadership is more a matter of wishful thinking on the part of the Europeans. Infantino's power base in Asia, Africa, South America, and Oceania remains as strong as ever.
When will a decision be made in this power struggle?
FIFA haven't announced plans to release a statement following the meeting as the situation is too volatile. In reality, however, it is Infantino's opponents who are under pressure to deliver. They must present a candidate for the presidential election by November 18 at the latest, three months before the election at the FIFA Congress on March 18, 2027 in Rabat, Morocco. A meeting of the Executive Committee and another one with all 55 UEFA member associations are scheduled for early November.
Source: Qatar Tribune
